A year after its seizure, federal authorities remain unable to access Mayor Eric Adams’ cellphone—stalling a significant corruption investigation.
At a Glance
- Federal investigators cannot access Eric Adams’ locked cellphone.
- Prosecutors label the phone a “significant wild card” in the case.
- The 57-page indictment accuses Adams of conveniently forgetting the password.
- Experts highlight the challenge of breaking into encrypted phones.
Stalled Investigation Due to Encryption
Federal agents have been unable to unlock Mayor Eric Adams’ personal cellphone, a year after its seizure. Prosecutor Hagan Scotten emphasized the phone’s importance, describing it as a “significant wild card” in the Manhattan federal court. Despite assurances from Adams that the password change was to prevent his staff from tampering, skepticism surrounds the alleged forgetfulness.
“Decryption always catches up with encryption,” Scotten assured, yet the investigators face a complex technological challenge.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) outlining the criminal indictment of New York City Mayor Eric Adams, just hours after his phone was seized by the FBI. The indictment, which was unsealed today follows a series of investigations by federal… pic.twitter.com/sVWNfrvmhl
— Laura Ingle (@lauraingle) September 26, 2024
Mayor Adams: Allegations and Responses
Adams faces charges including fraud, bribery, and soliciting donations from foreign nationals. The indictment details how Adams altered his phone’s passcode from four to six digits shortly before a search warrant was executed. Adams claims this was done to preserve data from his staff, stating he then forgot the newly set password.
“New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who was indicted last week on charges including fraud, bribery, and soliciting donations from foreign nationals, told federal investigators he forgot his phone password before handing it over, according to charging documents.”
This situation parallels history, where encrypted devices have been a stumbling block for law enforcement. Experts note that while Adams’ encrypted phone presents significant hurdles, breakthroughs in forensic technology may eventually solve the issue.
NEW: NYC Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted. https://t.co/e6qytFDbqk
— Michael Rothfeld (@mrothfeld) September 26, 2024
Implications for the Investigation
Experts warn that the inability to access Adams’ phone will likely slow the investigation. Modern smartphones employ security measures, such as passcode attempt delays and Apple’s Secure Enclave, complicating decryption efforts. These features can significantly hinder forensic tools’ ability to crack passwords.
“Cracking into Mayor Eric Adams’ encrypted cell phone is going to be an uphill battle for federal authorities, experts told The Post.”
The stakes remain high as forensic technology evolves, offering potential solutions for accessing the locked phone.
Sources
1. Accessing Adams’ locked cell phone will be ‘monumentally difficult’ for feds: experts
2. The feds still can’t get into Eric Adams’ phone